AES E-Library

AES E-Library

Octave-Band Spectral Distribution of Recorded Music

A study is described which was performed at CBS Laboratories several years ago to determine the power vs frequency distribution of recorded music. Bandpass filters were used to divide the signals from master tapes into octave bands. The outputs of the filters were processed through logarithmic amplifiers and recorded with multitrack oscillographs with time rise of 0.0016 sec. A novel method of analysis yielded the amplitude of peaks not exceeded 1% of the time and 1/10% of the time. The power vs frequency of eight typical vigorous selections of popular and classical music was determined.